DEVON AND SOMERSET. 139 



Two good stags and a male deer broke away 

 from Badgworthy Wood over Black Hill at 

 sound of the horn, and took an excellent line 

 towards Dry Bridges, looking quite yellow in 

 the bright sunshine. And now came the sensa- 

 tion of the dav. 



While Miles was levelling his field glass at 

 the retreating stags, the monarch of the forest 

 suddenly made his appearance, followed bv 

 another and smaller stag. Now, in an instant, 

 all doubt is at end. The cunning old veteran — 

 that for so many a year has saved his life by 

 wily stratagems, that has eluded Arthur and 

 Anthony again and again, that has come to be re- 

 garded as no better than a fabulous myth, so 

 much has he been talked about and so seldom 

 seen — stands confessed. Here he comes towards 

 us, with mighty head held high and proud. Black 

 he is not, only a darker brown than usual, 

 especially about the poll, but in the weird misty 

 air of the moor he looks at a little distance 

 distinctly blacker than any other of the numerous 

 deer we have just seen. But it is by the proud 

 carriage of his head, and the square upward 

 set of his spreading antlers that one may know 

 him amongst a herd of other deer. 



He carries all his rights of course, and one 

 can see three long spiky tines at least on either 

 top. Have at him now ! Ride off the other 

 stag ; and frighten him all you can, that he may 



